A perfect combination of smoked haddock, potatoes, leeks and cream make up this classic Scottish soup. I have written already about my love for smoked haddock, in particular Arbroath Smokies, and this soup is further evidence for why smoked haddock is awesome. Some recipes for Cullen Skink will instruct to keep a rustic broth-like consistency, with pieces of potato and haddock giving a nice chunky texture, but I prefer to make a super smooth soup, like a velouté, and then garnish the soup with diced potatoes, flaked smoked haddock and herbs.

Cullen Skink Recipe

Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 2 arbroath smokies
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 sprig thyme
  • 700 ml whole milk
  • 1 medium onion
  • 3 large cloves garlic
  • 2 medium leeks
  • olive oil
  • 2 medium potatoes, about 300g in total
  • 30 ml double cream
  • 30 g unsalted butter
  • 3 spring onions
  • 1 small handful dill, roughly chopped

Method

  1. Place the Arbroath smokies, thyme and bay in a large shallow pan and cover with the milk. Bring to the boil, cover and leave to infuse for 30 minutes. In the meantime thinly slice the onion, garlic, and the white part of the leeks. Heat about 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium pan and slowly fry the vegetables for about 20 minutes, until soft. Peel and thinly slice ¾ of the potato and add to the pan. Dice the rest of the potato into 5mm cubes and set aside to be sautéed for the garnish.

  2. Remove the smokies from the milk and carefully pick the meat away from the bone, discarding the skin. Set the flaked fish aside. Pass the milk through a sieve into the pan of vegetables. Add the cream, and simmer gently for 10 minutes, until the potatoes are cooked. Pour everything into a blender, add ¾ of the flaked smokies and the butter and blend on full power for 5 minutes, until the soup is very smooth and silky. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

  3. Heat about 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan, and fry the potato dice on a medium heat for 5-10 minutes, or until they are tender and a light golden colour. Drain on some kitchen paper and set aside.

  4. Garnish the soup with thinly sliced spring onions, the remainder of the flaked smokies, the sautéed potato dice and the dill.